How Critical Thinking Can Help Our Careers? - Essay Sample

Introduction

Critical thinking enables an individual to reason more in-depth than an average person. Instead of looking at an issue shallowly, a critical thinker will analyze the causes, consequences, and solutions to the problems. Such kind of reasoning is usually based on logic, facts, and evidence. It is possible in one's career to come across a situation where a definite answer is not available. In such a case, the ability to be a critical thinker will come in handy. A critical thinker will be able to handle situations when he/she is in a stressful situation. The ability to have clarity and sound judgment will ensure the decisions made under stress are not emotional but somewhat logical. Since critical thinkers are curious, they tend to possess a need for further education which is essential to the growth of a career. The ability to set aside emotions and deal with facts is crucial to one's career growth because it enables an individual to enhance his/her cognitive skills. Such skills are essential in career growth because they allow a person to be a better thinker and solve problems. Critical thinking also plays a crucial role in enabling intellectual self-improvement. An individual who is a critical thinker is continuously exercising his/her bran which in turn improves the ability to reason and be creative. People who are involved in customer relations can benefit if they are critical thinkers. A critical thinker in a customer relation field will be in a position to act fast and make decisions without consulting a manager or supervisor. The ability to make these sound decisions are essential for one's career and growth.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Differences Between Inert Information, Assumptions, and Inferences

Inert information is the information that an individual possesses but cannot use. On the other hand, an inference is an intellectual act where an individual concludes that an issue is correct by basing the decision in light of something else being right. An example is when an individual decides that another person intends to them harm if they come to them holding a weapon. The inference can be either logical, illogical, accurate or inaccurate. A person may conclude that the earth is at the center of the universe by assuming it revolves around the globe (Martincova & Lukesova, 2015). The inference influences the assumption that the sun is moving. By taking these observations, an individual may use selective detail to assume the sun is moving. An assumption is something that individuals take for granted. A hypothesis is usually something that people have learned and did not feel the need to question its validity. An assumption is part of people's belief and system, and they use these systems to interpret the world around them. For example, a person who believes it is dangerous to walk at night in a big city will infer that it is dangerous to go for a walk late at night if they live in a big city. If the belief that walking at night in a big city is dangerous and the belief turns out to be correct, then our assumptions are right. However, if the belief is false, then our assumptions are also wrong. Based on this logic, an assumption can turn out to be right or wrong depending on whether an individual has right reasons or not for the premises. Inferences are essential in our daily lives because they help us in communication. Assumptions play a critical role in helping us bridge the gap between different situations and play a vital role when it comes to reading between the lines. The inability to make inferences can have a significant effect on the production of life because it will force us to communicate all the details over and over.

Assumptions That I Have Made Which Had Consequences

One of the assumptions that I have made is assuming that a driver who was in front of me was drunk. The driver had made a few mistakes as I followed him and I figured he/she might be under the influence of alcohol. The assumptions turned out right because several miles down the road the driver trier tried to overtake another car in a bend which resulted in an accident with an oncoming vehicle. After stopping and going to check on the crash, I saw several bottles of alcohol in the car, and I knew my assumptions of the driver were right.

How Activated Knowledge and Ignorance Can Be Used

Activated ignorance is a situation where one uses false information without their knowledge and behaves as if the data is correct. One of the areas that I may find myself using activated ignorance is the belief that the Middle East is dangerous (Paul, Elder, Linda, & Richard, 2010). However, some of the areas that I use to have activated knowledge is moving away from getting information from one source and researching data from different regions. Through books, interviews, and documentaries, I can be able to move from activated ignorance to activated knowledge in matters relating to the Middle East.

Reasons Why Critical Thinking Requires Intellectual Autonomy

Intellectual autonomy is the ability for an individual to think for him/herself. A person with this ability can receive ideas and opinions from others but does not accept them without scrutiny. An individual who is a critical thinker needs to possess this virtue because such a person will have to analyze ideas that come his/her way and decide which ones are true. The ability to have an intellectual autonomy is therefore crucial for the dissemination and analysis of information that one receives.

Why Concepts and Theories Are Critical to Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is essential in human life because it helps us make objective decisions based on facts and analysis. Concepts, theories, and ideas are an integral part of critical thinking. The above thoughts are essential because they allow us to evaluate information that is presented to us. The ability to assess data rationally ensures an individual can make decisions without being biased. As a result of this logical thinking, an individual can be able to come up with conclusions after evaluating all the available options available to them.

Theories and ideas are also essential because they help us refine and conceptualize our thoughts. The ability to refine and conceptualize our ideas is critical when it comes to identifying and rejecting false ideologies. Critical thinking can disseminate some ideas such as conspiracy theory. When an individual is in a position to determine what theories are worth following and which ones should be discarded, such a person stands a better chance of coming up with better decisions and conclusions. Critical thinking does not entail thinking a lot only because a person can spend a considerable amount of time defending a false idea or theory.

Sometimes, people may spend time pursuing questions that need reformulating. Before any progress can begin. However, if this questions and ideas are not examined, the positions taken can be biased and could contain flaws. Such a stand cannot be called critical thinking because it does not allow the position considered to be challenged. Having theories and concepts helps individuals in making unbiased decisions that are not influenced by culture or our upbringing. It also helps us better our thinking. Consequently, the decisions made when we use concepts and theories is guided by evidence and knowledge which fits with the current reality even if it does not conform to our beliefs.

The ability to use theories and beliefs allows individuals to change their positions if their views are found to be unfounded. A critical thinker cultivates an attitude of curiosity and eagerness to widen their perspective and broaden their knowledge. They are also willing to do the work required to keep themselves informed of the facts. An individual who relies on theories and concepts understands that explanations should be tested and worthy of serious consideration. Critical thinking is also vital because it embraces skepticism. Contrary to popular belief, skepticism does not mean an indiscriminate rejection of ideas. Skepticism refers to the suspension and doubting of the ideas that we are presented with to ensure we do not accept claims that may be unjustified. It is critical to ensure we examine the reasons behind the explanations that we are offered by understanding the assumptions and biases behind them. Instead of basing our understanding of emotions and social pressure, we should base our decisions on sound, consistent and logical factors.

References

Martincova, J., & Lukesova, M. (2015). Critical Thinking as a Tool for Managing Intercultural Conflicts. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 171, 1255-1264. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.239

Paul, L., Elder, Linda, & Richard. (2010). Critical thinking: Inert information, activated ignorance, and activated knowledge. Journal of education development, 29-50. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/openview/34c7c1501ed37d6f06edecea70748b95/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=47765